I’ve never been a big Mike Piazza fan, but it surprises me that people are debating his entry into the Hall of Fame. I was talking about catchers with some experts over the weekend — about the fact that it’s very difficult to find a good offensive catcher. Solid defensive catchers, guys  who can throw out runners, call a good game, block the plate, are relatively common.  But how many proven offensive catchers are in the big leagues now? I’d say one. Victor Martinez, who like Piazza, lacks great defensive skills.

There have been some interesting articles on Pizza over the past few days. This  very well written piece in the Wall Street Journal talks about Pizza signing with the Mets in 1998. How he made New York — a team waiting for Todd Hundley’s arm to get better — respectable again.

This piece  interviews A’s closer Huston Street, who paints Piazza as a renaissance man — a man of letters, a lover of  art and music, and passionate about politics. Today Street still enters games to Nas’s “Hate Me Now,” which was bestowed upon him courtesy of Piazza.

Finally, here is a case for Piazza’s entry into the Hall of Fame (Baltimore Sun).

Not a bad career for a 62nd round pick.

Image by Ted.